POS0066-PARE LIFE WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS - WHAT NOW? HOW TO LIVE WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS, A LIFELONG ILLNESS
Authors: L. Wermskog, L. M. Eidet, K. Lilleby
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which mainly attacks the pelvis, back, neck and thorax, but peripheral joints can also be affected. This patient group is affected to a very varying degree and the disease varies throughout the course of the disease. Some have mild symptoms and may be without ailments for long periods of time. Others have major ailments and may experience increasing stiffness in the back. The average age at the onset of symptoms of AS is 26 years. <h3>Objectives</h3> The aim of this campaign is to focus on life with a chronic illness. How to mentally master your illness and accept it, but also how to be active with the disease. The campaign aims to break down prejudices and discrimination that chronic sufferers are faced with in society, for example that they are weaker or lazier than others. These prejudices help to make the disease a strain mentally as well. Many patients struggle to accept that they have contracted a chronic illness, a disease that stays with you for life. <h3>Methods</h3> Giving this campaign a face, we used a world-renowned photographer and social debates Morten Krogvold to take pictures of Felix Baldauf, world champion in wrestling, living with axial spondyloarthritis. Films were made of Felix's story, about the road to a diagnosis and about the afterlife diagnosis. In the films, Felix honestly tell how tough and difficult this road has been for him, but at the same time he talks about how life has changed now that he has been diagnosed and properly treated. His goal is now a gold medal in wrestling at the 2024 Olympics, even though he's living with axial spondyloarthritis, which shows that it is possible to live a good life with the disease and have an active physical life. In order to get as much attention as possible about the campaign, it was launched at political week in Arendal. The films and photos are being shared in social media, and we have published digital booklet with artistic photos. The main film has so far reached 3200 people. We had an event at Litteraturhuset in Oslo together with a rheumatologist and a physiotherapist where we talked about being able to live a good life with the disease. We also recorded a podcast about the campaign. <h3>Results</h3> By using famous people the campaign has gained a familiar face and at the same time received a lot of attention. Felix tells about a great mental strain not knowing what was wrong with him, but it is fantastic to see that it is possible to live well with the disease when getting treatment. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The campaign gives hope and inspiration to patients that it is possible to live well with the disease. It shows that you can be very physically active, but at the same time show that there are both ups and downs with the disease. Felix's openness about the disease leaves hope for other patients, that one can live a good and active life with the disease. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> The patient campaign is supported by the Norwegian Directorate of Health, Novartis, AbbVie. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Lillann Wermskog Grant/research support from:: I have not personally received a grant, but Spafo has received funding from Novartis, Abbvie, UCB Pharma, Takeda, Pfizer, Lilly, Employee of: Yes, Novartis, Lise Mette Eidet Grant/research support from: I have not personally received a grant, but Spafo has received funding from Novartis, Abbvie, UCB Pharma, Takeda Pfizer, Lilly, Kari Lilleby Employee of: I am employed by Novartis Pharma.